Catheter Removal Instruments and Methods

ABSTRACT

Methods for removing a catheter are provided that can include working a pair of opposing semi-round channeled jaws over a brace to free the brace of dermis engaged with the brace; and removing the catheter. Methods for removing a catheter are also provided that can include engaging a catheter tube below the dermis with a plurality of tips extending from individual opposing jaws to remove the catheter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/579,060 filed Oct. 30, 2017, entitled “Catheter Removal Instruments and Methods”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and more specifically to catheter removal instruments and methods.

BACKGROUND

Catheters can be placed within patients for extended periods of time. These catheters include portions that are meant to mend or bind with the dermis of the patient, so that the catheter can be manipulated externally with little impact to the internal connection of the catheter. Gratefully, these catheters can be removed, and when removed, it is important to be able to inflict as little damage to the dermis of the patient, or the patient, as practical. The present disclosure provides catheter removal instruments and methods.

SUMMARY

Catheter removal instruments are provided that can include: at least a pair of instrument jaws aligned along the same axis and opposing one another when engaged, each of the jaws defining recesses having openings wherein the openings of each jaw oppose one another; and a plurality of tips and valleys within the recess with the tips extending toward the openings of each of the jaws, and each of the tips of one jaw aligned opposing the tip of another jaw when the jaws are engaged.

Catheter removal instruments are also provided that can include: at least a pair of instrument jaws aligned along the same axis and opposing one another when engaged, each of the jaws defining recesses having openings wherein the openings of each jaw oppose one another; and wherein each of the jaws define a semi-round channel having a smooth outer surface.

Methods for removing a catheter are provided that can include working a pair of opposing semi-round channeled jaws over a brace to free the brace of dermis engaged with the brace, and removing the catheter

Methods for removing a catheter are also provided that can include engaging a catheter tube below the dermis with a plurality of tips extending from individual opposing jaws to remove the catheter.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a catheter removal assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is the assembly of FIG. 1 in an alternate configuration.

FIG. 3 depicts the use of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 at an initial phase of catheter removal.

FIG. 4 depicts the use of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a subsequent phase of catheter removal to that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts the use of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a subsequent phase of catheter removal to that of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a portion of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts another implementation of a portion of FIG. 7 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-10. Referring first to FIG. 1, a catheter removal assembly 10 is shown that includes a digitally manipulative portion 12 extended to at least a pair of jaws 14 supported by arms 15 that may be hinged at a central location 16 between the manipulative portion and the jaws. Jaws 14 can be aligned along the same axis and opposing one another when engaged as shown. In accordance with example implementations, assembly 10 can be manipulated wherein when the user exerts gripping pressure upon end 12, the jaws 14 constrict, tightens, or close. Alternatively, when the user exerts expanding digital pressure, jaws 14 retract, expand, or open.

Referring next to FIG. 2, assembly 10 is shown in an alternative configuration with jaws 14 retracted or expanded. As can be seen, jaws 14 can include two opposing jaws 20. Either or both of jaws 14 can be configured to manipulate the dermis about a catheter and free the catheter from the dermis as well as, for example, grip the catheter for extraction.

Referring next to FIGS. 3-5, assembly 10 can be used to manipulate a catheter 30. Catheter 30 can have a sponge or brace 32 extending along a distance of the catheter. This sponge or brace 32 can be sufficiently fibrous to mend or join with the dermis of the patient when in use. Typically, this sponge or brace may have an outer perimeter that is larger than the outer perimeter of the catheter tubing. As shown in FIG. 3, assembly 10 can be used to manipulate over the catheter itself and about the sponge or brace 32. In accordance with example implementations, jaws 14 can be worked over brace 32 to free brace 32 of the dermis to which it is bound.

Referring next to FIG. 4, as can be seen, the curved nature of jaws 14 in combination with extending force from the user as well as expanding pressure from the digits of the user can be used to allow jaws 14 to extend about brace 32. Accordingly, jaws 14 can be worked away from one another against the dermis as shown. Jaws 14 can be extended along the sides of brace 32. Jaws 14 can also be rotated about the axis of the catheter tube.

With reference to FIG. 5, jaws 14 can be worked past brace 32. Once past brace 32, clamping pressure can be exerted by the operator, allowing jaws 14 to collapse about catheter 30 on the internal side of brace 32, and then pulling force can be applied to remove catheter 30 from the patient. In some applications, jaws 14 can be clamped about the brace or to grab the brace and force exerted to remove the catheter while clamping the brace. In accordance with at least one implementation, tips extending from jaws 14 can engage the catheter tube. Other or additional implementations in combinations or separately can include engaging brace 32 with a proximal edge 31 of jaws 14. Additionally, engaged jaws 14 may be rotated about the axis of the catheter tube to remove the catheter.

Referring next to FIG. 6, an end view of jaw 14 is shown. As can be seen in this view, jaws 14 can include opposing jaws that can be at least partially cylindrical. In accordance with example implementations, each jaw may define a recess 63 having openings 61. These openings 61 can oppose one another. A plurality of tips 60 and valleys 62 can be within recess 63 with tips 60 extending from recess 63. Each tip 60 and/or valley 62 can be aligned opposing one another when jaws 14 are in the closed position for example.

Referring next to FIG. 7, in accordance with one embodiment, jaws 14 can include veins that extend the distance of the jaws, from one end entirely to the other end, for example, from terminus 70 entirely to terminus 72. As can be seen, tips 60 can include a beveled portion 64. Additionally, arms 15 can be tapered or rounded at, for example end 74 to facilitate the engagement of jaws 14 with the dermis.

Referring next to FIG. 8, in accordance with an alternative embodiment, jaws 14 can include a toothed configuration rather than a veined configuration. The toothed configuration can include individual teeth 80 that may include one or more beveled portions 82. Example implementations may include four beveled portions to give each tooth a central point 83 with bevels about each of the points. In accordance with alternative embodiments, tooth 80 may include a flat edge towards the proximate portion and the front bevel towards the distal portion of the tooth. Accordingly, tips 60 can extend from a portion of jaws 14. For example, tips 60 can extend from a distal portion of jaws 14. In example implementations, the remaining surface 84 of jaws 14 can be smooth.

Referring next to FIGS. 9 and 10, alternative embodiments of the jaws are shown with jaws 90, for example, having a relatively straight edge extending from the distal portion to the rearward portion of the tip. In accordance with example implementations, jaws 14 are defined by a semi-round channel having a smooth outer surface 92.

With regard to FIG. 10, jaws 100 can include a frustal conical configuration wherein the distal portion of the jaws has a smaller radius than the rearward portion, giving rise to a slight angular difference between the front edge member and the rear edge member of tip jaws 100. Additionally, in this configuration, jaws 14 are defined to have a smooth outer surface 102.

The present assembly can be manufactured of medical grade steel suitable for sterilization as desirable.

In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect. 

1. A catheter removal instrument comprising: at least a pair of instrument jaws aligned along the same axis and opposing one another when engaged, each of the jaws defining recesses having openings wherein the openings of each jaw oppose one another; and a plurality of tips and valleys within the recess with the tips extending toward the openings of each of the jaws, each of the tips of one jaw aligned opposing the tip of another jaw when the jaws are engaged.
 2. The catheter removal instrument of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of tips and valleys extend along the axis to form a plurality of veins within each of the recesses.
 3. The catheter removal instrument of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of tips and valleys extend from a portion of each of the recesses.
 4. The catheter removal instrument of claim 3 wherein the portion is distal along the jaws.
 5. The catheter removal instrument of claim 4 wherein the remainder of the recess is substantially smooth.
 6. A catheter removal instrument comprising: at least a pair of instrument jaws aligned along the same axis and opposing one another when engaged, each of the jaws defining recesses having openings wherein the openings of each jaw oppose one another; and wherein each of the jaws defines a semi-round channel having a smooth outer surface.
 7. The catheter removal instrument of claim 6 further comprising arms supporting each of the jaws, each of the arms beveled to support distal portions of the jaws.
 8. The catheter removal instrument of claim 6 further comprising arms supporting the jaws, wherein each of the arms are configured to be digitally manipulated at a proximal end.
 9. The catheter removal instrument of claim 8 wherein each of the arms can be digitally manipulated between an open position of the jaws and a closed position of the jaws, wherein in the closed position gripping digital manipulation is provided and in the open position expanding digital manipulation is provided.
 10. A method for removing a catheter comprising: working a pair of opposing semi-round channeled jaws over a brace to free the brace of dermis engaged with the brace; and removing the catheter.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the working comprises digitally manipulating the jaws away from one another against the dermis.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the digitally manipulating comprises expanding digital pressure against arms supporting the jaws.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the working comprises extending the jaws along the sides of the brace.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the working comprises rotating the jaws about the axis of the tube.
 15. A method for removing a catheter comprising engaging a catheter tube below the dermis with a plurality of tips extending from individual opposing jaws to remove the catheter.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising extending the jaws over a brace before engaging the catheter.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising engaging a distal portion of the brace with proximal portions of the jaws to remove the catheter.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising engaging a distal portion of the brace with proximal portions of the tips to remove the catheter.
 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising digitally manipulating a pair of arms supporting the jaws to remove the catheter.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the digitally manipulating comprises rotating the engaged jaws about the axis of the catheter tube to remove the catheter. 